FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
More about the Athelstone Small Business Loans
Tell me about the Athelstone Small Business Loans
Athelstone unsecured loans provides amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000. Terms range from 3 and 24 months. They also offer cash flow-friendly repayments that are either per day or weekly.
How is what makes the Unsecured Loan different from the traditional business loan?
You can apply to get the Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or over the phone, receive an instant response and funds may be available in just 24 hours. Traditional business loans reference an annual rate of interest along with other charges and fees. The business loan is a loan that is priced upfront so you will know ahead of time the total amount to be paid, including any fees, charges or charges. This is then divided into a daily or weekly amount to be paid back.
What could be the Small Business Loan be used for?
The Small Business Loan can be used for virtually every business reason, such as cash flow management, company remodeling, marketing for purchasing inventory or new equipment, as general working capital, and much more. The loan cannot be used for personal use.
About the Larger Athelstone Business Loans
What is the Larger Athelstone Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size of loan that can be used to fund company growth opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 with a term fixed with a maximum of 36 months. Repayments are scheduled weekly or fortnightly, depending on your cash flow.
How is the Origination Fee determined?
It is important to note that the Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, determined at 2.5% of the loan amount.
Do I qualify for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a credit of this size the company needs to be operating for at least three years and have an annual turnover of $700,000. The applicant must also be a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) with a minimum age of 18 years old and have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to prove at minimum 12 months of business.
What can the funding be used for?
A large business loan can be used for almost any company purpose including company renovations, purchase of inventory or new equipment, as general working capital and much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
Is the Larger Business Loan one that requires security?
Asset security is required to access funding over $150,000. This can be done by taking a charge over assets, and could include the registration of this with the PPSR or registering a caveat.
A personal or director’s ensure is a promise to pay off a credit line that is generally in nature rather than defining the security of a specific asset. The person signing the guarantee is personally liable if the company lender is not able to repay the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central registry run by the New Zealand Government. It lists security interests that are registered in respect of personal property (including the assets or goods). The PPSR gives priority over personal property to be granted according to the date the security interest that is registered.
Caveats are legal document filed to provide an official notice of a claim to property.
What is a pre-approval without Credit Check?
If you’re requesting an enterprise loan that exceeds $250,000 we can offer a preliminary pre-approval to help ease the process. We may be able to do this without credit checks and within 6 hours of the initial application. The pre-approval is based upon an initial assessment, which involves you answering some financial health checks. It is neither an offer nor a guarantee of financing. The approval of a conditional loan is subject to a full credit assessment and any offer you are offered could be on different terms.
The application process
Are I eligible for funding?
You may apply for an company loan if you:
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are over 18 years, have a New Zealand company (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- must show at least six months of business (for a unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or three years of trade (for the Larger Business Loan $100K to $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and easy. Just complete the online application in few minutes and a dedicated business expert in lending will call you to guide you through the process.
To apply for up to $100,000 you’ll need ID details (valid Driver’s Licence) and a valid NZBN/IRD as well as at least six months worth of bank statements.
In addition, for larger loan sizes, you’ll need:
$100K to $250K: Application requirements, including credit approval, 6-12 months of bank statements, IRD statement (if credit is over $150K).
$250K to $500K: Application details including credit consent and 12 month bank accounts, the IRD statements Last 2 years’ finalised financial statements, in addition to interim financials from the current financial year such as age-related payables and aged Receivables reports.
How fast will I get an answer?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) We can usually offer an answer within an hour if you make your application at standard company times and permit us to utilise the bank verification system link to immediately verify your bank account information online. If you choose to upload copies of your bank statements we can offer an answer in as little as an company day.
If you are applying for a Larger Business Loan ($100K to $500K) we could be in a position to provide you with conditional pre-approval within about six hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval form, it will take about 2-3 days for final approval. However, this could be shorter based upon the circumstances for each application. Some transactions have received approval within less than 24 hours.
The quickest way to apply for you to apply is ensure you apply during standard company hours. You can also permit us to use the advance bank verification to confirm your bank details online. If you choose to send us duplicates of your banking statements it can take a bit longer.
What is the time frame to receive the money?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K or more) we can often offer an answer within an hour – provided you make your application during standard business time and permit us to make use of the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank details online. If you choose to send us copies of your bank statement, we’ll offer a decision in just one business day.
If you are applying for Larger Business Loans ($100K and up) we may be likely to offer you with a conditional pre-approval within about six hours. Once you have signed the pre-approval document, you will need to wait around 2-3 days for final approval. However, it could be faster based on the circumstances of each application. Certain offers have been approved in less than 24 hours.
The fastest way can be make sure you apply during standard business hours, and allow us to use our advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you choose to upload the copies of bank statement, it may take a bit longer.
How much can I borrow?
We offer loans ranging from $5,000 to $500,000. When you submit an application for a particular amount, we consider a variety of elements for determining the well-being of your business and the amount of repayments that your company will be able to support. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the specifics for your company.
When you submit an application for a certain amount, we take into consideration a variety of elements to determine the well-being that is your company and the level of repayments your business can afford. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the specifics for your business.
Fees & repayments
How much should you charge for a company loan?
When you make an application for our company financing, we’ll assess the risk profile that you have for your business and offer you with a customised proposal that includes the amount of the loan, the duration and interest rates. The company loan is an upfront-priced loan which means you be aware in advance of the total amount payable including any charges or interest.
What is the factor that determines the price I will be charged?
Interest rates for business loans rates differ based on various factors including the amount borrowed, what business assets the money are used to purchase in addition to the industry that the business operates in, how long the business has been operating for, what percentage of the company has enough cash flow to pay for the loan, and the general health or financial standing of the company.
What are the cost?
There aren’t any hidden charges for our business loans. You’ll know precisely how much you be required to pay and when, right from the first day. There’s no compounding and no extra fees (as long as you make your payments in time).
We don’t charge an application fee. You are able to make an application for loans with with no upfront cost or any obligation to sign up.
The Origination Fee covers the expenses involved with establishing and managing the loan. This is only a cost if you take out the loan. The Origination Fee for us is 2.5 percentage of the amount of the loan.
Can I repay the loan earlier?
You may choose to pay back the entire amount of your loan at any point in time.
If you are deciding to do this please contact our helpful company loan professionals. The experts will provide you with details for repayment along with an early payout estimate. It will be calculated using the sum of the principal balance and the accrued interest up to the time of early payment plus 1.5% of the remaining principal plus any outstanding fees.
How do repayments work?
To help you avoid missing repayments and to fit in with your cash flow cycle we provide repayments either weekly or daily. They will be automatically deducted from the nominated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be secure?
Making sure that your information is secure, and being clear about how we collect data, process, exchange and secure your information, is vital and an integral aspect of our relationship with you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We utilise industry-recognised encryption techniques to protect your personal, sensitive financial information and our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our dedication to the security of our clients as well as their privacy. We employ a highly sophisticated bank verification system to immediately verify the bank account details online, allowing us to provide quick responses.
About business loans
What’s an asset-based borrow (a secured loan)?
The term "asset-based" refers to borrowing where an company owner utilises an asset they own to get the funding. The asset could be an individual property, such as the family home, or an company asset such as a vehicle or piece or equipment.
The vast majority of lenders, including the big banks, tend to make loans secured by an asset. If you have trouble paying back the loan, your assets could be transferred to the lender. In essence, it’s a way of securing additional financing making use of the value of what you already own.
Should I need security for an company loan?
For loans of up to $150K, it is not necessary to secure assets in advance to gain access to the funds but we require a personal guarantee. require a personal guarantee. If you adhere to your loan obligations (as stipulated in your loan contract document), asset security is not needed. For loans of over $150K generally there is the option of a personal ensure and security is provided in the form of an asset charge.